SUSAN DERRICK
Founder / Director, The Gourmet ChildBorn in Englewood, New Jersey, Susan was raised in a culture where food was an integral part of family life. In addition to enjoying the art of cooking, she also learned the art of enjoying food and bonding with her family both in the kitchen and at the dining room table.
Susan’s 35-year career with a major international airline, has afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout the world. Passionate about experiencing other cultures and world cuisine, she has engaged in a variety of culinary experiences. One of her most enjoyable experiences was culinary classes in Sydney, Australia. World cuisine is not Susan’s only passion, however. Susan is also passionate about teaching children life skills.
Ten years ago, Susan began to baby-sit in her spare time. She noticed that children would pull up a chair when she offered to teach them how to make their lunch and soon they were making a “special” meal for Mom and Dad to enjoy when they came home from work.
From this experience, she began to see how the skills she learned as a child in her own family’s kitchen were being transferred to a new generation, and how that positively affected the entire family. At that moment, “The Gourmet Child” was born.
Over the past several years, Susan has been teaching children’s culinary classes and conducting children’s culinary parties. The Gourmet Child has brought the world of culinary art to hundreds of children in the Orange and Riverside counties. Always looking for ways to inform and teach children, Susan has made progress in bringing The Gourmet Child culinary experience to school teachers and Boys Town USA, an organization dedicated to serving at-risk children.
However, Susan recognizes that time and resources limit the number of children she can reach out to. In an effort to reach greater numbers, she is spearheading a DVD cooking series called “COOKAMATION.” Her ultimate goal is to nourish the minds, bodies and souls of children worldwide and empower them to make healthy eating choices.
JANET CALHOUN
Creative Director, The Gourmet ChildJanet attended the renowned Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California, as an actor/dancer/singer. Soon thereafter, she left the theatre to focus on raising her two children. Needing a new creative challenge, she began to explore her talents as a cake decorator/designer, and soon began collecting awards for her designs as a cake decorator in local contests.
Janet segued into Corporate America, and it was during her years as an Executive Assistant that she began to write and produce corporate events. Her challenge, which was successfully met, was to find new, inventive and entertaining ways to present executive management’s quarterly and annual reports. Her annual kickoff “productions” soon became known throughout the company, which had offices in New York, Chicago, Arizona, San Francisco and Southern California.
In 2000, Janet returned to school to complete her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from National University. She then became a full-time volunteer, which proved to be far more satisfying than beating to the drum of Corporate America. Her volunteerism led her back to the theatre. This led to work as Production Stage Manager for THE MISER, and Assistant Director/Production Stage Manager for SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, produced by Three Trees Theatre. In pursuit of her passion to work in children’s theatre, Janet began directing children’s theatre at Newport Heights Elementary School. Direction credits include HONK Jr., SEUSSICAL Jr. and BYE BYE BIRDIE.
Janet teamed with Susan Derrick of The Gourmet Child in 2005. As Creative Director, she assists in the development of engaging class curriculum and materials, the direction and production of the COOKAMATION DVD series, and lends her cake design and decorating skills to The Gourmet Child teaching children hands-on cake decorating.
JESSICA VANROO
Consultant / Chef Jessica brings to The Gourmet Child not only her excellence in culinary skill, but international expertise as well. Born and raised in Taiwan, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Economics, Chinese cooking degree from Wei Chuan and her Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Management form the Art Institute of Orange County.
Fluent in both English and Chinese, Jessica began working with children in 1998 teaching English to children ages 2-12 in Delhi, India and Taipei Taiwan. This experience has given her an uncanny ability to overcome language and cultural barriers in communicating with both children and adults.
Her passion for the culinary arts was developed at the encouragement of her parents who wanted Jessica to explore her creativity and not focus solely on Economics, another of her passions. After receiving her culinary education, Jessica worked as a server and Pastry Chef Assistant in Taipei, Taiwan.
Jessica’s commitment to teaching children how to prepare healthy and nutritionally balanced meals is rooted in both personal and professional experience. Having been raised abroad, Jessica has firsthand experience with a variety of cultures and unique ingredients that help bring a global perspective to the table.
Jessica came to the US in 2005 and has had the opportunity to utilize her skill and knowledge of Asian cuisine as both a personal chef and consultant. She has catered for Akasha Restaurant (known for its commitment to the health of both its patrons and the environment) and recently cooked for the CEO of Bank of America and the President of China Construction Bank.
In addition to working with The Gourmet Child, she is also the Assistant Culinary Director at Sur La Table in Newport Beach where she teaches cooking to both children and adults, plans team building and private events, and runs cooking camps.
MANUEL J. QUIÑONES, M.D.
Medical Consultant Dr. Quiñones received his B.S. from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1977 and his Medical Degree from the California College of Medicine at the University of California Irvine in 1982. His internship and residency were completed at the LAC/USC Medical Center. He was awarded clinical fellowships from Division of Endocrinology and Division of Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition at LAC/USC Medical Center from 1989-1992 and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the USC, School of Medicine’s Institute for Genetic Medicine from 1992-1996.
Most recently, Dr. Quiñones held the position as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Previous positions include Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Instructor of Clinical Medicine at USC, School of Medicine.
Dr. Quiñones’ served as Preceptor of the Student Research Program with the American Heart Association, Los Angeles Chapter; Member of the American Heart Association’s Council for High Blood Pressure, Council for Basic Research, and Council for Circulation. He is also a member of the American Diabetes Association Council for complication and has reviewed for such journals as Circulation, Circulation Research, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Diabetes, Journal of Biochemistry.
With specialties in Diabetes is a Cardiovascular Disease, Dr. Quiñones is an internationally well-respected speaker/lecturer. He has been invited to speak at numerous symposiums and medical institutions including the: UCLA Diabetes Symposium, Berkeley’s Diversity in Diabetes, American Heart Association, Josiah Brown Symposium on Diabetes Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and II Congreso Nacional de Actualizacion Medica, Veracruz, Mexico.
His medical research and expertise in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, specifically as it relates to children and different ethnicities that are presently found in America today make him uniquely qualified to act as medical consultant for The Gourmet Child.
LELA STORK
Consultant / Certified NutritionistLela graduated from the American Academy Of Nutrition in 1992. She currently counsels patients both as a private practitioner and as a nutritional counselor at the nationally renowned Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport Beach, California. In both private practice and at Whitaker Wellness Institute, Lela has had extensive experience counseling both adults and children suffering from a variety of illnesses including diabetes and obesity.
Her research work at Whitaker Wellness Institute enabled her to compile the latest medical research for a variety of therapeutic modalities, with a special emphasis on nutritional supplementation. Lela, considered an expert in nutritional supplementation, works directly with patients educating them on supplements and how to use them.
Throughout her career, Lela has counseled with numerous parents of obese children, all looking for that “quick fix,” that one perfect pill or supplement that will heal their child. In Lela’s words, “feeding the body is not a quick fix.” Lela firmly believes that understanding nutrition (what creates a healthy cell) is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Her private practice is dedicated to educating people from all walks of life, how to feed the body well. It is her all-encompassing program, which includes selecting healthy food, preparing food properly, adopting eating habits, using proper supplementation, and incorporating regular exercise that qualifies her to act as nutritional consultant for The Gourmet Child.
DAVID LEE GUSTA
Marketing Director A man inspired by his uncle, Joe Gusta who once played professional football, David grew up believing in the pursuit of a dream. His Uncle inspired him to dream and know that anything is possible.
Armed with that knowledge, David pursued his early dream of joining the US Military where he learned discipline and discovered the value of taking on challenge—the confidence to overcome any obstacle, the greatest, at times, being doubt.
After retiring from the Military, David completed his BS in Computer Information Systems from San Diego State University. He then pursued business interests where he successfully took on roles in senior management, marketing, sales, real estate and finance. During this time he discovered his gift for inspiring others to be the best that they can be--a gift he finds of greatest value in helping to raise his two sons.
David’s boys are the light of his life. They love spending time together doing all sorts of “boy things” which includes time in the kitchen fixing breakfast together! David understands the importance of teaching them how to eat healthy foods at a young age. It is no surprise then that David chose to take on yet another challenge with The Gourmet Child.
David believes that anyone can learn to cook, even at a young age, so he has chosen to come on board with The Gourmet Child as Marketing Director to help in overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dream of nourishing children worldwide through the culinary arts.
ELISSA M. DI COIO
Education Consultant
Elissa received both her Masters in Education and Bachelor of Science in Business Education from the College of New Jersey. She attained certification as a Principal/Supervisor, RBT Instructional Specialist/In-District Staff Development Trainer, Coordinator of Cooperative Education and Business Teacher. In May of 2006, Elissa received the William Roberts Outstanding Secondary School Teacher Award in Recognition of Outstanding Teaching Skills and Dedication to Education from Monmouth University.
Elissa’s professional affiliations include: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Journal of Staff Development, National Education Association, New Jersey Business Education Association, National Business Education Association, School Safety Advocacy Council (SSAC), New Jersey Association for School Resource Officers and the National Association for School Resource Officers
Elissa has 27 years of experience teaching youth. She understands that educating students extends far beyond presenting them with academics. She understands how imperative it is that students believe they can make a difference in this “ever changing world.” She advocates that education is truly the most powerful force in the world today. She knows that educators, parents, and media have the unique opportunity (and responsibility) to touch the lives of children throughout the world, generation after generation. Her ability to embrace new ideas and adapt teaching styles to meet the needs of a diverse student population make her a perfect fit to act as educational consultant for The Gourmet Child.